Windmill



t e au h s ..b e e h S 4 r. J R E M L A P m m M 0 m WIND MILL.

No. 445,573. Patented Feb. 3, 1891.

A WITNESSES: l/VVEA/TOI? wmw W, 2&2??? 7; 6W5 a Z ATTORNEY (N Model) 4 SheetsSheet 2. W. PALMER, Jr. WINDMILL.

No. 445,573. Patented Peb.3,1891.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. PALMER, Jr. WINDMILL.

No. 445,573. Patented Feb. 3, 1891.-

WIT/V 8858. UVVEVIOR 77% faZrfler 1,77 M Z Z ATTORNEY (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet. 4.

W. PALMER, Jr. WINDMILL.

N0. 445,573. i Patented Feb. 3, 1891.

m: Noam PETERS 20., mmraeufim WASHINGTON, n. c.

of the windmill.

UNiTED STATES VILLIAM PALMER, JR, OF RINOON, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO.

WINDMILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,573, dated February 8, 1891.

Application filed September 9, 1889 $erial No. 323,41 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAn PALMER, J12, of Rincon, in the county of Dona Ana and Territory of New Mexico, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Windmills, of which the following is .a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention is an improvement in windmills; and it consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the governing-weights and their supporting-frames. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the mill. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showing the pin-adjusting mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the crank-pin carrier. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a part of the pitman. Fig. 7 is a side view of the mill. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the pin-adjusting mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail View of the disk having the cam-slot. Fig. 10 is a detail rear perspective view of a part of the windwheel. Figs. 11, 12, and 13 show somewhat different constructions within some of the broad principles of my invention, and Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view.

I shall first proceed to a description of the wheel and then to the mechanism whereby increase in the speed of the wheel operates to increase the work thereof, so that the speed of the wheel may be automatically regulated.

The wheel A is formed with an outer ring B and a central or hub-like portion, which preferably consists, as shown, of a hub proper B, and a ring I) encircling said hub B and connected therewith by spokes B spokes B extending between the rings b and B, the

whole forming a suitable frame for support ing the blades O. The main shaft D is connected with the hub, and is made hollow for the passage of the governor-shaft E, presently described. The blades 0 are preferably plates of sheet metal curved longitudinally from end to end, arranged in cross-section at an angle to the axis of the wheel and extended forward toward their outer ends, where they are provided with rearwardly projected flanges O, by which they are connected at their outer ends to the wheel-frame, such flanges O being extended back and bolted to the outer ring 13 of the wheel-frame. Such flange construction O operates as a convenient connection by which to hold the outer guide the Workman in securing the blades in position. It is also preferred to provide flanges O at the inner ends of the blades, through which the said blades are bolted to the hub-ring before described.

One object of my invention is to provide means whereby as the wind increases in velocity it will efiect an adjustment of the crank-pin which operates the reciprocating rod or pitman outward, so that as the velocity of the wheel increases its work will be illcreased and the increased resistance resulting from that increase of work will prevent the wheel from moving at a dangerous speed. To this end I provide a radiallyanovable crank-pin and means for automatically adjusting such pin in and out from its center of motion to vary its throw.

. In the construction shown the pitman F has a slot f for the crank-pin and is suitably guided in its vertical movements. The crankpin Gr is arranged to enter the said slot f and so oper-atively engage the pitman. This crankpin is mounted on a carrier G. On the inner end of the main shaft D, I provide a support D for the crank-pin, such support consisting of a frame-like construction having arms or bars d projecting radially from the inner end of shaft D and a bar d connected with the outer ends of arms or bars d anti extended radially across the inner end of the main shaft, such bar d being thus held rigidly to the main shaft. The carrier G embraces this bar d and slides radially thereon, so that the crank-pin may move in and out from its center of motion to decrease or increase the throw of the crank. I provide the carrier G with a projection g, which is thereby rigidly connected with the crank-pin. Within the main shaft D, I fit the governor-shaft E, which has at its inner end a disk E fitting within the crank-pin support, and having a cam groove or slot e, in which fits the projection g ICO of the. crank-pin. This cam groove or slot 6, as shown, departs from the center of the disk toward its outer end, and it will be readily seen that as the shaft E is turned its disk IE. will turn also, and that one direction of motion will serve to adjust the crank-pin out from its center of motion, while the opposite turning of the shaft will adjust such pin inwardly by reason of its projection g traversing the cam groove or slot 6. Now it is manifest that the longer the throw of the crankpin the longer it will have to move the pitman or pump rod and the greater will be the work performed at each revolution of the wind-wheel. It is also manifest that this increase of work would have a tendency to retard the motion of the wheel. For such reason I prefer to operate the pin-adjusting mechanism by means of mechanism which is automatically operated by an increase of velocity of the wind. This is preferably accomplished. by means of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, in which the governor-sha t is provided at its forward end with a rack-wheel E which is meshed by rack-bars h, connected with radially-movable weights H, such construction h and E serving as gear-connection between the weights and the governonshaft. The weights H slide in and out on radial guide-frames I, being arranged to move outward by centrifugal force and to be drawn normally inward by the action of springs II.

The frames I have suitable guides for the weights and extend radially across the face of the wheel and by preference are arranged on opposite sides of the center of the wheel. In operation it will be seen that as the wheel revolves with an ordinary speed the springs will hold the weights from moving out and the pitman will be reciproeated with a short stroke. On an increase of velocity of the wind the wheel will be turned faster. Centrifu gal force will then throw the weights out, the gearing will effect a turning of the governor-shaft, and the crank-pin will be forced outward to increase its throw and solengthen the, throw of the pitman or pump rod. This increase of throw will result in an increased resistance and will effect a braking action on the wheel and will retard the revolution of the wheel and decrease its velocity, thus serving to regulate the speed of the wheel.

Now I do not desire in the broad features of my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown. So far as I am informed windmills have not heretofore been provided with radially-movable crank-pins, together with means for automatically adjusting such pins in and out, and I do not desire to be limited to the particular means shown in Fig. 1 for accomplishing such result. Ins ead of the cam groove or slot the inner end of the governor might have a rackwheel meshing a rack on the crank-pin carrier, asshown in Fig. 11. It will. also be understood that the construction shown in Fig. 12 may be employed, in which the governorbya pitman with the carrier ofthe crankpin. Now I regard such construction as in a measure or to a certain extent as equivalents of the cam slot or groove construction; but I prefer the latter construction, because I find that in practice it works smoothly and easily and does not becomeclogged or otherwise inoperative. Now it will be seen that the broad principle of this feature of my invention is essentially in the provision of a radially-movable crank-pin engaging the pitman or pump rod, together with means or mechanism by which to automatically adjust such crank-pin in or out, and I do not desire to be limited in said broad principles to the particular construction by which to efiect such adj ustments. It will also be seen that the governor .mechanism proper is located in rear of the wheel and is operated by means of mechanism arranged in front of the wheel. Now while I prefer the weighted construction shown, it will be understood that such construction maybe modified without departing from the broad principles of the invention.

In Fig. 13 I show a construction in which there is provided on the front end of the governor-shaft a small supplemental Wind-wheel, which, not being subject to the resistance of the pump or other device to be worked by the mill, will in a high wind run ahead of the wind-wheel A, and so turn the governor-shaft and operate the governor mechanism, the said supplemental wind-wheel being retracted or held back by a spring, as shown. Now I regard this supplemental wheel as in a measure the equivalent of the weight construction, although I prefer the latter construction, and I do not desire to be limited in the broad principles of this feature of my invention to the particular constructions of the weights, as shown.

In supporting the mill I provide a tower or support J, to which .the turn-table is vertically journaled at k. This turn-table is provided with bearings 76' for the main shaft, which bearings are arranged in a line to one side of the journal 70, the purpose of such arrangement being to cause the pressure of the wind against the face of the wheel to give the turn-table a tendency to turn on its journal k. To overcome this tendency in a light or ordinary wind, I pivot the vane L at its forward or inner end to the turn-table, so that it will normally swing by gravity into a position approximately in line with the axis of the wheel A and will have a tendency to return to such position when moved thereout, a suitable stop L being provided on the turntable. In so pivoting the vane it is preferred to pivot it at its upper and lower edges at Z Z in bearings set vertically out of line, so that the vane will have a tendency to swing by its weight back against the stop L. Now in an ordinary wind the wind-pressure on the face of the wheel will not turn the turn-table, because to do so would necessitate the turnshaft hasat its inner end a crank connected ing of the table back on 'the vane, as such vane will of course be kept in the line of the wind; but in a high wind or gale the windpressure will overcome the weight of the vane and turn the wheel out of the wind, as will be understood from Fig. In practice I so adjust the weight of the vane that such weight will not be overcome by the pressure of the wind on the face of the wheel, and the wheel will not be turned out of the wind until after its velocity has been such as to move the crank-pin to its outermost position, so that the wheel will not be stopped so long as the mill may be safely operated.

It will be understood that wherever one part is movable longitudinally along another anti-friction rollers may be provided, as shown in the drawings.

A rope M is connected with the vane L, and passes over rollers or guides and into the j ournal-pipe 71 where it connects with a pipe 7;, which is movable longitudinally in and revolves with pipe 7.; and encircles the pumprod F. Said pipe 71; is provided with lateral lugs 73, which extend through vertically-elongated slots k in the pipe 7t, and project outside of such pipe and supporta ring 79', which is riveted or otherwise secured to said lugs By said construction it will be seen that pipe 70' revolves with pipe 7t, and yet may be moved down longitudinally to pull cord M and draw vane L to force the wheel out of the wind. Over the ring 70 I fit a ring, in which the pipe freely turns, and to such ring 71: I connect a rod 70, which extends in convenient reach and may be drawn down to depress the pipe 71; and so draw the vane sidewise, as desired to pull the mill out of the wind.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a windmill, the combination, substantially as described, of awind-wheel, a pitman, a crank-pin engaging said pitman, arranged to be turned around its center of motion by such wheel, and movable toward and f1 om its center of motion whereby to vary its throw, and means whereby said crank-pin may be moved automatically out and in, substantially as set forth.

2. In a windmill, the combination of the wheel, the pitman, the crank-pin engaging said pitman, arranged to be turned around its center of motion by said wheel, and movable radially toward and from such center of motion, the main shaft connected with the wheel and arranged to support the movable crankpin and the governor-shaft extended through the main shaft, and intermediate mechanism between said governor-shaft and the movable crank-pin, substantially as set forth.

3. In a windmill, the combination of the main wheel-supporting shaft, the crank-pin support held to said main shaft, the crankpin movable radially on said support, the governor-shaft extended through the main shaft and capable of turning independently thereof,

and mechanism between the governor-shaft and the crank-pin whereby the turning of such shaft may effect an adjustment of the crank in and out, substantially as set forth.

4. In a windmill, the combination of the main shaft, the crank-pin support consisting of a bar held rigidly to said main shaft, the crank-pin having a carrier sliding on said supporting-bar, the governor-shaft fitted with in the main shaft, and connections between said governor-shaft and the crank-pin, substantially as set forth.

5. In a windmill, the combination of the main shaft provided with the support for the crank-pin, the governorshaft having a disk provided with a cam groove or slot,the crankpin movable radially, and a pin connected rigidly with such crank-pin and entering the said cam-groove, substantially as set forth.

6. In a windmill, the combination of the main shaft, the crank-pin support consisting of an outer bar and an inner bar fixed to the main shaft, the governor-shaft having a disk operating between the inner and outer bars of the said support and provided with a cam groove or slot, the pitman,and the crank-pin having a carrier sliding on the outer bar of such frame and provided with a projection entering the said canrgroove, substantially as set forth.

7. In a windmill, the combination of the radially-movable crank-pin, the pitman engaged thereby, the main shaft supporting the crankpin,the wind-Wheel fixed on such main shaft, the governor-shaft, connections be tween such governor-shaft and the crank-pin, and means for turning such governor-shaft independently of the main shaft, substantially as set forth.

8. In a windmill, the combination of the wind-wheel, the main shaft, the governorshaft movable independently of the main shaft, a radially-movable weight supported and revolving with said wheel and connected with the governor-shaft, whereby to turn the latter as the weight moves outward, and a spring by which to retract said weight, substantially as set forth.

9. In a windmill, the combination of the windmill having a hollow main shaft, the governor mechanism arranged in rear of such wheel, the governor-shaft extended through the main shaft, connected at its rear end with the governor mechanism and extended in front of the wheel, a radially-movable weight arranged in front of the wheel and geared with the governor-shaft, whereby its radial movement may turn such shaft, and a spring for retracting such weight, substantially as set forth.

10. In a windmill, the combination of the wheel, the governor-shaft capable of turning independently of the wheel, a slide-frame supported on the front of the wheel and extending radially on opposite sides of its center, the weights sliding in said frame on op- ICO posite sides of the governor-shaft and geared therewith, and springs by which to retract the weights, substantially as set forth.

1 11. In a windmill, the combination of the Wheel having a hollow shaft and provided at the inner end thereof with a crank-pin support, the pitman, the crank-pin sliding radially on its support and arranged to engage the pitman, the governor-shaft fitted in the main shaft, having a rack-wheel at its forward end and provided at its rear end with a disk having a cam groove or slot, a projection connected with the crank-pin and entering said groove 0r slot weights sliding radially in guides across the face of the windwheel and provided with rack-bars engaging the rack-wheel of the governor-shaft, and springs for retracting such weights, substantially as set forth.

WM. PALMER, JR.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. ROBBINS, NEWTON O. ROBBINS. 

